Scientology school defends funding

A private school in Sydney with links to Scientology has responded to criticism that it is receiving about $1.4 million of federal and state government funding.

On its website, the Athena School in Newtown says it teaches from the booklet The Way to Happiness, which was written by Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard.

The school says strong academic results are achieved using Mr Hubbard's study methods and educational philosophy, and that it goes through the same processes as other schools to get government funding.

Greens MP John Kaye has questioned why the school is being given the funding.

"It's time for both the state and federal education ministers to take this seriously," he said.

"The whistle has been blown on Scientology by Senator Xenophon.

"It's time for the state and federal governments to act to make sure that their money is not being used to promote Scientology."

Mr Kaye has compiled data sourced from answers given to questions on notice in both federal and state parliaments.

He found that over the next four years, the school will get about $1.4 million of government funding.

He told Parliament last week that recognising Scientology as a religion granted legitimacy to a cult that bullies, intimidates and exploits.